Hidden Gem Colleges in the US

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College Raptor’s Hidden Gem College Rankings highlight amazing schools in the US that you may not have heard of before. We’ve highlighted one school from all 50 states — and DC, and you might just find your dream college among these diamonds in the rough!

What Is a “Hidden Gem?”

Hidden Gems are based on College Raptor’s overall national rankings and must meet the following criteria:

  • Receive fewer than 5,000 applications per year
  • Have fewer than 7,000 undergraduate students
  • Offer 5 or more unique majors
  • Have a 10% acceptance rate or higher
  • Rank within the top half of College Raptor’s overall rankings.

For more information on methodology behind our college rankings, check out our ranking methodology breakdown.

2026 Hidden Gems Best College in the US
Samford University
Birmingham, AL
Founded in 1841, Samford University was originally called Howard College and was converted to a military hospital during the Civil War. Today the school has an 82% acceptance rate and 93% first year retention rate. Samford offers over 60 majors, the top three of which are Registered Nursing, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Marketing.
Undergraduates 4,210
Institution Type Private
2026 Hidden Gems Best College in the US
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Fairbanks, AK
The Fairbanks campus is the flagship of the University of Alaska system. UAF students wear blue and gold, and their athletes are known as Nanooks, which comes from the Inupiaq word for polar bear. With 23 majors and programs, many study Business Administration. Of attending students, 84% receive grant aid, $10,102 on average.
Undergraduates 5,912
Institution Type Public
2026 Hidden Gems Best College in the US
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott
Prescott, AZ
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Prescott campus is located just north of a wildlife sanctuary and the Willow Creek Reservoir. Alumni of the school have gone on to have impressive careers as astronauts, scientists, military members, authors, athletes, and politicians. 93% receive institutional grant aid while attending, $18,082 on average.
Undergraduates 3,229
Institution Type Private
2026 Hidden Gems Best College in the US
Hendrix College
Conway, AR
Most students at Hendrix College are undergraduates, but it awards up to Master's degrees. The school gives 100% of students institutional grant aid, with each package averaging $25,518. There are 26 majors and programs available, with many choosing to study Psychology, General.
Undergraduates 1,101
Institution Type Private
2026 Hidden Gems Best College in the US
Pitzer College
Claremont, CA
Pitzer College’s motto is “Mindful of the Future” (“Provida Futuri” in Latin). It’s extremely selective and out of the accepted students during the last admissions cycle, 34% enrolled. 81% of undergraduates graduate in four years, 88% in six. Pitzer is part of the Claremont Colleges consortium.
Undergraduates 1,242
Institution Type Private
2026 Hidden Gems Best College in the US
Western Colorado University
Gunnison, CO
Western Colorado University’s motto is “Potestas ad Ministrandum,” which is Latin for “The Power to Serve.” 420 student athletes, known as the Mountaineers, compete in the NCAA Division II with football Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. Business Administration and Management, General is a popular undergraduate major.
Undergraduates 3,149
Institution Type Public
2026 Hidden Gems Best College in the US
University of Saint Joseph
Hartford, CT
The University of Saint Joseph was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1932 as an all women’s school – it only started accepting men in 2018. The 84-acre campus is well known for its Georgian brick architecture. Undergraduates enjoy a cozy 8 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio.
Undergraduates 879
Institution Type Private
2026 Hidden Gems Best College in the US
Goldey-Beacom College
Wilmington, DE
Many students at Goldey Beacom College are pursuing degrees in Business Administration and Management, General, General Studies, and Accounting. There are 276 student-athletes, who are known as the Lightning, and they’re cheered on by Strike, their mascot. A NCAA Division II without football school, athletes might receive athletic scholarships.
Undergraduates 1,074
Institution Type Private
2026 Hidden Gems Best College in the US
Gallaudet University
Washington, DC
Gallaudet University is dedicated to the deaf and hard of hearing, with two official languages: English and American Sign Language. Many students major in Deaf Studies. It’s the only higher education school in the world that has designed all of its programs and services for deaf and hard of hearing individuals.
Undergraduates 919
Institution Type Private
2026 Hidden Gems Best College in the US
Ave Maria University
Ave Maria, FL
Ave Maria University is a private Catholic university located in southwest Florida. Found in 2003 by Tom Monaghan, AMU is the first new Catholic university since 1963. The school has a 14 to 1 student to faculty ratio and 72% first year retention rate.
Undergraduates 1,250
Institution Type Private
2026 Hidden Gems Best College in the US
Agnes Scott College
Decatur, GA
One of the Seven Sisters, Agnes Scott College is a women’s undergraduate school but offers co-educational graduate programs as well. The school underwent many name changes since it was founded in 1889, starting with the Decatur Female Seminary. The school has a number of interesting long-standing traditions including Class Colors, Pestle Board, and Black Cat.
Undergraduates 843
Institution Type Private
2026 Hidden Gems Best College in the US
Chaminade University of Honolulu
Honolulu, HI
Registered Nursing is a popular program at the Chaminade University of Honolulu, which offers up to Doctor's degrees. This Roman Catholic school was founded by the Society of Mary in 1955. 201 athletes, known as Silverswords, compete in the Pacific West Conference.
Undergraduates 1,817
Institution Type Private
2026 Hidden Gems Best College in the US
Northwest Nazarene University
Nampa, ID
Offering free applications and institutional grants to every student, Northwest Nazarene University has a72% acceptance rate, 14 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio, and 77% first year retention rate. NNU has over 60 majors available to undergraduates; many study Registered Nursing, Social Work, and Elementary Education.
Undergraduates 1,043
Institution Type Private
2026 Hidden Gems Best College in the US
Wheaton College
Wheaton, IL
Wheaton College was founded by evangelical abolitionists in 1860 and would become a stop on the Underground Railroad. Business is by far the most popular major at the school. Athletic teams are known as The Thunder. They wear blue and orange and compete in the NCAA Division III in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin.
Undergraduates 2,119
Institution Type Private
2026 Hidden Gems Best College in the US
Wabash College
Crawfordsville, IN
Wabash College is a small undergraduate men’s school. They accept 63% of applicants and have a 9 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. The student paper, The Bachelor, has been in publication since the early 1900’s. Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, and Political Science and Government are among the popular majors.
Undergraduates 866
Institution Type Private
2026 Hidden Gems Best College in the US
Dordt University
Sioux Center, IA
Students at Dordt University wear black, white, and gold to cheer on the Defenders teams. The school has off-campus opportunities around the world for their students, offers a master’s degree, and does not charge applicants fees. 99% of those attending Dordt also receive institutional grant aid.
Undergraduates 1,695
Institution Type Private
2026 Hidden Gems Best College in the US
Benedictine College
Atchison, KS
Benedictine College’s core values are built into the four “pillars” of the school which are known as Catholic, Benedictine, Liberal Arts, and Residential. The college’s motto is “Forward. Always Forward.” Its campus is located along the bends of the Missouri River. The most popular majors at the school are Theology/Theological Studies, Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Finance, and General.
Undergraduates 2,391
Institution Type Private
2026 Hidden Gems Best College in the US
Centre College
Danville, KY
Centre College’s motto is “Doctrina Lux Mentis,” or “Learning is the Light of the Mind.” Offering up to Bachelor's degrees, the school has 26 degree programs, with Economics, Other being the most sought after. Centre also has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1.
Undergraduates 1,356
Institution Type Private
2026 Hidden Gems Best College in the US
Centenary College of Louisiana
Shreveport, LA
The Centenary College of Louisiana is the oldest chartered liberal arts college west of the Mississippi, having been founded in 1885. Students can benefit from a 10 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio and the 65-acre campus that is home to more than 300 species of plant life. Many students major in Biology/Biological Sciences, General.
Undergraduates 693
Institution Type Private
2026 Hidden Gems Best College in the US
Maine Maritime Academy
Castine, ME
Located on a peninsula on the Bagaduce River and Penobscot Bay, the Maine Maritime Academy is a non-federal maritime training school. Students aren’t required to join the military after graduation. Many study Marine Science/Merchant Marine Officer. A fairly selective school, 30% of those accepted enroll.
Undergraduates 945
Institution Type Public
2026 Hidden Gems Best College in the US
Washington College
Chestertown, MD
The Washington College dates back to 1723 when it began as the Kent County Free School, making it the 10th oldest college in the United States. It was also the first college chartered after the American Revolution, and George Washington was heavily involved in the founding. The school received its current name in 1782.
Undergraduates 923
Institution Type Private
2026 Hidden Gems Best College in the US
Wheaton College - Massachusetts
Norton, MA
Wheaton College got its start as the Wheaton Female Seminary in 1834. It received its current moniker in 1912 and began admitting men in 1988. To offer more courses to students, Wheaton has partnerships with Brown University and nine other local schools. Lydia Folger Fowler, the second American to earn a medical degree, attended Wheaton.
Undergraduates 1,749
Institution Type Private
2026 Hidden Gems Best College in the US
Hillsdale College
Hillsdale, MI
Hillsdale College’s motto is “Virtus Tentamine Gaudet” or “Strength Rejoices in the Challenge.” The school has a 97% first year retention rate and an 8 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. All students have to take courses on the “Great Books” and the United States Constitution. 78% will graduate within 4 years.
Undergraduates 1,649
Institution Type Private
2026 Hidden Gems Best College in the US
College of Saint Benedict
Saint Joseph, MN
Partnered with Saint John’s University for men, the College of Saint Benedict is exclusively for women. The school got its start in 1913 with only six students. Since 1955, the two campuses have shared resources. CSB has an 11 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio, 86% first year retention rate, and 74% four year graduation rate.
Undergraduates 1,391
Institution Type Private
2026 Hidden Gems Best College in the US
Millsaps College
Jackson, MS
Millsaps College was founded in 1890 and has produced well-known actors, poets, professors, politicians, and athletes. “The Bowl” is the home of Homecoming activities, concerts, and events on campus. The college’s motto is “In pursuit of excellence” (Ad Excellentiam) and it’s affiliated with the United Methodist Church.
Undergraduates 547
Institution Type Private
2026 Hidden Gems Best College in the US
Rockhurst University
Kansas City, MO
Rockhurst University accepted 71% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and charges $0 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 100% of attending students will receive grant aid from the school. Rockhurt’s motto is Sapientia Aedificavit Sibi Domum which is Latin for “Wisdom has built herself a home.”
Undergraduates 2,304
Institution Type Private
2026 Hidden Gems Best College in the US
Carroll College
Helena, MT
Carroll College offers majors and minors in over 95 areas of study, and many choose to pursue a degree in Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse. Though the school seal features two lions, Carroll College’s mascot is actually a St. Bernard named Halo. Student athletes compete as the Fighting Saints in Football, Basketball, and Track and Field and Cross Country (combined), among others.
Undergraduates 1,062
Institution Type Private
2026 Hidden Gems Best College in the US
Nebraska Wesleyan University
Lincoln, NE
Nebraska Wesleyan University is a private school, associated with the United Methodists. It has 40 available majors and programs – Business/Commerce, General is the most popular. Competing in the American Rivers Conference, the 538 Prairie Wolves wear black and gold.
Undergraduates 1,463
Institution Type Private
2026 Hidden Gems Best College in the US
Nevada State University*
Henderson, NV
A vast majority of the student body at Nevada State University are women. Opening as Nevada State College in 2002, it was the first state school. NSU became a university recently, in 2023. Many students major in Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Psychology, and Elementary Education and Teaching.
Undergraduates 7,224
Institution Type Public
2026 Hidden Gems Best College in the US
Saint Anselm College
Manchester, NH
Saint Anselm College is the third oldest Catholic college in New England, having been founded in 1889. The school has been the site of presidential policy speeches from John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon as well as several national presidential debates. 100% of students receive institutional aid from the school ($29,355 on average).
Undergraduates 2,094
Institution Type Private
2026 Hidden Gems Best College in the US
Fairleigh Dickinson University - Florham Campus
Madison, NJ
The Florham campus of the Fairleigh Dickinson University opened in the spring of 2013, with other campuses located in New Jersey, Canada, and the United Kingdom. With an 80% first year retention rate, many students major in Psychology, Cinematography and Film/Video Production, and Business Administration.
Undergraduates 1,997
Institution Type Private
2026 Hidden Gems Best College in the US
New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
Socorro, NM
The New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology offers over 20 degree programs. The most popular areas of study are Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, and Chemical Engineering. NMT is a space-grant school with a 9 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio and 77% first year retention rate.
Undergraduates 1,217
Institution Type Public
2026 Hidden Gems Best College in the US
Yeshiva University
New York, NY
Yeshiva University has four undergraduate schools: Yeshiva College, Stern College for Women, Katz School of Science and Health, and Syms School of Business. The main campus is in Manhattan, but campuses, buildings, and facilities can also be found throughout other New York City boroughs and in Israel.
Undergraduates 2,331
Institution Type Private
2026 Hidden Gems Best College in the US
Meredith College
Raleigh, NC
Meredith College is a private women’s liberal arts school, but its graduate program does admit men. It offers 42 majors and programs, with many choosing to study Biology/Biological Sciences and Psychology. Athletes are known as the Avenging Angels, and they participate in the USA South Athletic Conference.
Undergraduates 1,206
Institution Type Private
2026 Hidden Gems Best College in the US
University of Mary
Bismarck, ND
Although the University of Mary calls North Dakota home and sits along the Missouri River, satellite campuses can be found all over the United States. It also has a study-abroad campus in Rome. In the classroom, students enjoy a 12 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio.
Undergraduates 2,650
Institution Type Private
2026 Hidden Gems Best College in the US
John Carroll University
University Heights, OH
John Carroll University was founded in 1886 as the St. Ignatius College. It changed its name to its current moniker in 1923 and became coeducational in 1968. Many of the buildings on the 65-acre campus are of Collegiate Gothic architecture. JCU has a first year retention rate of 83%.
Undergraduates 2,339
Institution Type Private
2026 Hidden Gems Best College in the US
Oklahoma City University
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma City University has a 70% acceptance rate, and 99% of enrolled students receive institutional aid. On the field, the Stars wear blue and white and are cheered on by their mascot, a ram named Starsky. A NAIA Division I school, the average athletic scholarship is $8,577.
Undergraduates 1,447
Institution Type Private
2026 Hidden Gems Best College in the US
Willamette University
Salem, OR
Willamette University is the oldest college in the Western United States, having opened in 1842. It has an 87% first year retention rate, 12 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio, and 72% six year graduation rate. Willamette offers 33 programs, and many study Economics, Political Science and Government, Biology/Biological Sciences.
Undergraduates 1,660
Institution Type Private
2026 Hidden Gems Best College in the US
Grove City College
Grove City, PA
Grove City College is a non-denominational private college founded in 1876. With an 88% first year retention rate, 87% of students will graduate in 4 years. Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science are the most popular undergraduate majors.
Undergraduates 2,370
Institution Type Private
2026 Hidden Gems Best College in the US
Rhode Island College*
Providence, RI
Rhode Island College opened in 1854, making it the second oldest higher education institution in the state (behind Brown University). RIC is a public school with a 14 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio and 23% yield. Many students study Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Psychology, and General.
Undergraduates 5,157
Institution Type Public
2026 Hidden Gems Best College in the US
Wofford College
Spartanburg, SC
Wofford College has a 12 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio and an impressive 90% first year retention rate. Many students receive institutional grants – 97% – averaging $34,084 each. Biology/Biological Sciences, General is a top undergraduate area of study, followed by Finance, Psychology, and Business/Managerial Economics.
Undergraduates 1,817
Institution Type Private
2026 Hidden Gems Best College in the US
Augustana University
Sioux Falls, SD
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse and Biology/Biological Sciences are the most popular majors on Augustana's campus, and the school has a 11 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. 100% of attending students receive institutional aid to help pay for college. At Augustana University, navy blue and gold are the official colors of the Vikings, who compete in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.
Undergraduates 2,003
Institution Type Private
2026 Hidden Gems Best College in the US
The University of the South
Sewanee, TN
The University of the South, or Sewanee, sits on 13,000 acres. The grounds are often called “The Domain” or “The Mountain,” and have several Gothic-styled buildings. The university’s magazine, “Sewanee Review,” has been running since 1892, making it the oldest continuous literary magazine in the country.
Undergraduates 1,644
Institution Type Private
2026 Hidden Gems Best College in the US
University of Dallas
Irving, TX
“Veritatem, Justitiam Diligite” is the motto of the University of Dallas. In English it means “Love Ye Truth and Justice.” The school has 53% acceptance rate, 11 to 1 student to faculty ratio and an 77% first year retention rate. The UD Crusaders compete in sports like soccer, lacrosse, track and field, and basketball. The most sought after major at UD is Business Administration and Management.
Undergraduates 1,444
Institution Type Private
2026 Hidden Gems Best College in the US
Westminster University
Salt Lake City, UT
Westminster College became Westminster University in 2023. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse is the most sought after program at the university, followed by Research and Experimental Psychology and Business Administration. Over 50 Olympians have studied at the school. During the 2014 Olympics, 23 Westminster students were part of Team USA – 18 in 2018.
Undergraduates 842
Institution Type Private
2026 Hidden Gems Best College in the US
Saint Michael's College
Colchester, VT
Saint Michael’s College has over 30 majors available to students, the most popular of which is Business Administration and Management. The college accepts 85% of applicants and has a 75% 4 year graduation rate. 100% of students who attend will receive institutional aid, $34,884 on average. The campus is split with the North Campus being one mile away from the Main Campus.
Undergraduates 1,120
Institution Type Private
2026 Hidden Gems Best College in the US
Patrick Henry College
Purcellville, VA
Patrick Henry College is a fairly new school, having only opened in 2000. 98% of students receive grant aid, with each package averaging $13,798. Most students, 88%, stay on after the first year, and many major in Political Science and Government, General, Strategic Intelligence, and Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies.
Undergraduates 425
Institution Type Private
2026 Hidden Gems Best College in the US
Whitworth University
Spokane, WA
Whitworth University’s motto is “Education of Mind and Heart.” The most common majors and programs include Psychology, Biological and Physical Sciences, and Elementary Education and Teaching. 77% of students return after completing their first year, and 75% will graduate within 6 years.
Undergraduates 1,939
Institution Type Private
2026 Hidden Gems Best College in the US
West Virginia Wesleyan College
Buckhannon, WV
Affiliated with the United Methodist Church, West Virginia Wesleyan College offers up to Doctor's degrees and has 36 available programs and majors. Business/Commerce is the most popular, followed by Biology/Biological Sciences, Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, and Criminal Justice/Safety Studies. Many of the buildings are of Georgian architecture.
Undergraduates 938
Institution Type Private
2026 Hidden Gems Best College in the US
Lawrence University
Appleton, WI
Lawrence University was the second coeducation institution (founded in 1847) in the US. The three most popular majors are Music Performance, Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, and Psychology. Offering only bachelor’s degrees to students, many alumni have gone into careers in politics, music, and sports. The campus sits along the winding Fox River.
Undergraduates 1,417
Institution Type Private
2026 Hidden Gems Best College in the US
University of Wyoming*
Laramie, WY
The University of Wyoming was founded in 1886, four years before Wyoming became a state. It’s one of the rare schools that features a live animal mascot – a horse named Cowboy Joy. Another mascot, Pistol Pete, is played by a student. Brown and gold are the official school colors, and their motto is simple – “Equality.”
Undergraduates 8,130
Institution Type Public

*Note: While Nevada, Rhode Island, and Wyoming did not have any colleges that qualified under our Hidden Gem Colleges criteria this year, we included the closest match. In the spirit of Hidden Gems, we feel it’s important to include schools from all states so students and families know about the opportunities around them.

Why Should You Consider Going to a Hidden Gem?

Even if you’ve never heard of the college, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go there! There are nearly 4,000 schools in the United States that grant degrees, so it’s impossible to know them all.

College Raptor’s Hidden Gems are top rated schools that simply don’t get as many applications as the big names, like Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, for example. Almost all Hidden Gem schools are pulled from the top 33% of our own overall rankings, which takes into account things like diversity, endowment, graduation rates, and more. As a result, most of these schools on our Hidden Gems list will have solid statistics backing them up.

Here are a few reasons why Hidden Gem schools should be on your radar:
  • They tend to be less expensive. Smaller schools, on average, are less expensive compared to larger colleges. Since they’re lesser known, they don’t always command those high prices, either.
  • They’re perfect for students who want a smaller to medium sized school. All of the Hidden Gems on our list have fewer than 7,000 students. If you want smaller, more intimate classes, these fit the bill.
  • They can be easier to get into. Fewer applicants can often mean higher acceptance rates. This isn’t an iron clad rule, but it’s definitely a trend.
  • They still have a selection of impressive programs. All of the Hidden Gems on our list have five or more majors. Many of them have dozens or even over a hundred available.
  • They’re all over the country. Hidden Gems aren’t only here and there. There are dozens of them all over the country.

Big or small, hidden or well-know, use College Raptor’s College Search tool to find the right fit school for you. Not only does the College Match Tool match you with colleges that fit your major and location preferences, it can tell you what your acceptance chances are into your dream school and gives you an accurate estimate of what it will cost you!

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